Audubon Center Trail Project July 27

Enjoy and help improve the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary trail system that leads through several different habitats and plant zones ranging from meadows to Ponderosa Pine forests and even a wetland area. We will undertake a wide-range of tasks aimed at improving trail tread and making the system more inviting to hikers. We will construct 3 to 4 rock stairs and a 50 foot trail re-route on the two spur sections that tie into Bear Canyon Trail (upper end of trail system), make improvements (materials pending) to the bridge half-way along the center transect trail, and there were several locations where drainage needs improvement, cleanout, etc.

Essential gear for field work includes long-sleeved shirts, long pants, work gloves, work boots, sun protection and raingear (just in case). Volunteers will be treated to lunch by the Center, but should bring plenty of water and desired snacks. No experience is necessary: training & tools will be provided. Pre-registration is required for planning purposes, so please sign up for this project by Sunday, July 21. Carpooling is encouraged and will be facilitated by the project leader. Plan to meet at the Audubon Center no later than 8:00 A.M. - click here for a map and watch for green NMVFO signs as you enter the property to direct you to the gathering place.

13 NMVFO tackled tasks that the Randall Davey Audubon Center staff had listed as agency priority. A 60 foot re-route was constructed at the main loop junction with Bear Canyon Trail, bypassing a steeper 20 foot section that functioned mostly as drainage. Another 90 foot re-route was built bypassing a 60 foot badly eroded, steep spur that had provided an unnecessary second junction with Bear Canyon Trail. It also bypassed another 60 foot section of the main loop providing a more manageable and sustainable section of trail. The third and seemingly impossible task was fixing drainage and berm problems along the acequia entrance to the main loop. This third task was handled quite nicely by Barb's crew of 6 volunteers. Lunch was provided by the RDAC staff on the shaded front porch of Randall Davey's historic house. Volunteers finished off the day by correcting drainage issues both large and small from above the acequia entrance to the top of the main loop bi-sect trail.

A former member

For the late bloomers... last chance to sign up! Because the agency needs a head count by 5:00 pm Friday, no sign ups can be accepted after noon on Friday. Please, contact me for additions or new sign ups no later than noon Friday.

A former member

Tomorrow is the last day to sign up... unless you email me directly! Several people have "signed up" by RSVP (you know who you are). This is not sufficient, please contact directly by email & provide a contact number.

NMVFO does not manage projects through Meet Up, so I need basic contact info to disseminate pertinent project info.

A former member

Jill, There are a couple of places that we have used for carpooling. Lowes/Target at Paseo or the Bernalillo P&R are the usual places. Please, contact me directly by email if you are still interested. Chris

I have been in close communication with RDAC folks and this project is a "go". I do, however, that the Bear Canyon Trail, which links into the RDAC trail system will be closed due to fire restrictions.

We're about:

This Meetup group is sponsored by New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors (NMVFO), a service oriented, all volunteer, non-political organization dedicated to improving trails and outdoor facilities throughout the state.

By joining the Meetup group you will be able to volunteer for projects and participate in social events, training opportunities, and other NMVFO activities.

By joining the official NMVFO organization, you will earn a vote in annual elections and provide necessary financial support for our work. Wehope you enjoy being an NMVFO Volunteer and that you will help us sustain this award-winning organization by becoming a dues-paying Member at www.nmvfo.org.

The NMVFO has been helping maintain trails and public lands for over 30 years. Work projects range from one day in nearby locations to week-end camping projects or even backpack work trips to pristine wilderness all over the state. Working with forest rangers and other public lands representatives, the NMVFO provides strong leadership, training, tools and meals on projects.

Working in the outdoors, keeping public lands accessible and enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded people are some of the benefits of participation in the NMVFO Meetup. We have fun and lots of laughter as we learn about trail work and new outdoor places. Above all we feel good about doing satisfying work with worthwhile results.

***In this Meetup it will be extremely important to show up for projects to which you have committed. Advance food is purchased, tools are provided and land management agencies are advised of the number of volunteers for the project. YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO ATTEND. Please adhere to this requirement for work project participation with the NMVFO Meetup. Social events, presentations, trainings and other events will operate like regular Meetup events unless otherwise noted.

It will also be required to contact the Project Leader as soon as you RSVP for a project. Notice the contact information in the description. This allows the Project Leader to keep a count of attendees to coordinate with land representatives and cooks who buy food on a budget, arrange tools and to be able to contact participants in a timely, efficient way.

For more information and updates about projects, visit www.nmvfo.org/projects. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, www.nmvfo.org/volunteer-faq for what to expect on a project. A parent or guardian must accompany all minors. Pets are not permitted on any project.

Since 1982, the New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors (NMVFO) have been recruiting people like you to volunteer for service projects that benefit trails and other recreational sites in national and state parks, forests, monuments, wilderness areas, city open space areas, and other public lands. The projects scheduled this year help maintain these valuable resources. NMVFO is a 501(c)3 all-volunteer nonprofit organization.